NEW PROGRAM OFFERS HOPE FOR DROPOUTS AND THE CHANCE TO EARN A COLLEGE DEGREE

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13, 2006 - Community College of Philadelphia has been selected as one of four national sites for the Gateway to College program. The program, which was created by Portland Community College (PCC) in Portland, Oregon, is part of the Early College High School Initiative. Gateway to College gives students the opportunity to earn high school and college credits simultaneously.

The Gateway to College program serves at-risk youth, ages 16-20, who have dropped out of high school. Community College of Philadelphia will offer courses toward earning a high school diploma while progressing toward an associate's degree or certificate. Students in the program develop the skills necessary to succeed in a college setting with the support and encouragement of faculty and counselors at the College.

During their first semester, students learn in a small community. This allows them to work together to build their academic and personal skills including note taking, study skills and balancing school with work and family life. Students are also required to take a career development class to help develop academic goals. Reading, writing and math are also part of the curriculum to prepare the students for college-level coursework.

More than 900 students have been served since the program's inception four years ago at PCC. Since students enter the program with few high school credits, students need one to three years to complete their diploma. So far, 84 students have earned high school diplomas and 21 students have earned associate's degrees. Graduates have earned an average of 73 college credits, and 73 percent of diploma-earners have continued their college education.

PCC is a national intermediary for the Early College High School Initiative, which will launch 170 Early College High Schools by 2008. Funding for the initiative comes from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation along with the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Additionally, the program is funded through Community College of Philadelphia and the School District of Philadelphia.